December 09, 2005

New Course, New Guides, Old Wounds: The women's World Cup ski circuit comes to the United States once a year, so neither freezing temperatures, nor a deepening chill in the family, nor cancer will keep 70-year-old Doris Rudsill Kildow from Aspen Mountain this weekend.

If you are near Colorado when this happens, GO SEE THIS!! I worked at Mammoth Mountain when the World Cup came 10 years ago, and these ladies are incredible! As far as young Miss Kildow, this is a prime example of why its important for parent to hire a coach if they wish their children to excel at sports. "He always supported me when I did well, which was 90 percent of the time, but when I didn't, he didn't handle it very well. It was so hot and cold. It was so much criticism and so much negativity, and it was really hard for me to balance emotions." It is so hard for children to separate their emotions for a parent and the criticism of a coach if they are coming from the same source. Kids need the criticism and the drive to succeed from a coach, but also need the love and support from home to balance it out. Its good to hear that the US has a chance in Turino in the downhill events. I'm sick of being second fiddle to the European nations. There is no excuse why we can be as good, if not better, than the elite in the racing circuit. War skiing instead of snowboarding. War Mammoth Mountain War freshies in 8 feet of powder

It is so hard for children to separate their emotions for a parent and the criticism of a coach if they are coming from the same source. Kids need the criticism and the drive to succeed from a coach, but also need the love and support from home to balance it out. I know of one elite-level combo where this seems to be working -- at least I don't know of any upheavals. Coincidentally, this is also in ski racing -- Anja Paerson, last year's overall World Cup winner, who is coached by her dad. In other cases, such as the Kostlic kids, it's not nearly as clear that the relationship is a healthy one. Its good to hear that the US has a chance in Turino in the downhill events. I'm sick of being second fiddle to the European nations. There is no excuse why we can be as good, if not better, than the elite in the racing circuit. Where ya been, Woody??? The US isn't thinking in terms of excuses any more; instead, it's "Who's gonna beat us?" Kildow's the real deal. She was the big bright light on the US women's team last year, with six podiums and one win. The good news this year is not that her results are consistent with last year's, but that the rest of the US women are right up there with her, at least in the speed events -- in the first Lake Louise downhill, Julia Mancuso was fourth, Kildow was fifth, and who-is-this-Noram-kid Stacey Cook was tenth; Kildow won the second downhill, with Cook taking eighth; and in the super G, the US women put five in the top fifteen. Women's tech events is the only soft spot on the whole US team right now; the men are solid all around, and will be battling each other as much as the rest of the world for top honors. All in all, it looks to be the best year in US skiing for a long time -- maybe ever!

It is good to see that the ENTIRE team (men and women) are doing well instead of just one racer like Picabo Street or Bode Miller (when he first broke thru). Maybe I'm just jaded from years of turning on the FIS and seeing the race results with nothing but Austria, Switzerland, and Germany and then having a separate page for the US finishers. Let's go for an all US podium in Turino!! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Maybe I'm just jaded from years of turning on the FIS and seeing the race results with nothing but Austria, Switzerland, and Germany and then having a separate page for the US finishers. Yer gonna have a fun season then. Birds of Prey downhill: Daron first, Bode second. Birds of Prey GS: Bode first, Daron second, Schlopy fourth by 0.03 seconds after breaking his hand in the first run and saying, "Tape it up." It's gonna be a very good year.